College Students
Judaism 101

Discover the foundations of Judaism and its treasury of 3,500 years' worth of wisdom. This course provides a broad overview of Jewish thought and insight. Course topics include love and relationships, achieving success, gossip, Kabbalah, the history of Jerusalem, and Jewish contributions to world values.

If you are you a college student ages 18-26, you may be eligible for a cash stipend!

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Course Description & Requirements

This course is comprised of ten classes: seven films and three audio files.

Each class consists of a film/audio segment, a reading, a review section and a multiple-choice test that are all available online.

In order to receive a $100 stipend, students must attain at least an 80% in the course and attend two live events coordinated by their campus rabbi. Live events may include participation in a class or lecture, Shabbat dinner or other social events (as decided upon by the rabbi on campus).

Students must complete each class before moving on to the next and the entire course must be completed within six weeks of the start date.

Instructors

Click on an instructor below to learn more

1.   Rabbi David Aaron
Rabbi David Aaron is the founder of Isralight, an international organization that offers retreats, workshops, leadership training, trips and missions to Israel. He received rabbinical ordination from the Israel Torah Research Institute in 1979. Rabbi Aaron is the author of several best selling books and has appeared on international radio and TV programs, including Larry King Live and E! Entertainment.
2.   Rabbi Yom Tov Glaser
Rabbi Yom Tov Glaser received his B.A. from the University of California in Santa Barbra and moved to Israel in 1991. Six years later, he received rabbinical ordination. He currently lives in Jerusalem with his wife and six children studying, teaching, and playing music to help others develop a closer relationship with God, what he calls "transformational education."
3.   Rabbi Tzvi Gluckin
Rabbi Tzvi Gluckin served in the Israeli Army and has a B.M. in Jazz Studies from the New England Conservatory of Music. He received rabbinical ordination from Rabbi Noah Weinberg in Jerusalem. In addition to authoring two books, Rabbi Gluckin has lectured on a variety of topics, integrating his unique background and experience to deliver thoroughly entertaining and thought provoking lessons.
4.   Rabbi Chaim Levine
Rabbi Chaim Levine studied anthropology and philosophy at Macalester College in St. Paul Minnesota. He received rabbinical ordination in Jerusalem, and spent two and a half years building Aish HaTorah in Boston. Rabbi Levine also served as Executive Director of Aish’s largest branch in Toronto for two years.
5.   Lori Palatnik
Lori Palatnik is an author and Jewish educator who has appeared on television and radio. She has lectured in North America, the U.K., South Africa and Israel. Focused on illuminating traditional practices and life-styles in the contemporary world, Lori has authored numerous books about Shabbat, Jewish concepts of soul and afterlife and gossip. She currently lives in Washington, DC, where she is the Executive Director of The Jewish Women's Renaissance Project.
6.   Dr. Gerald Schroeder
Dr. Gerald Schroeder is a scientist with over thirty years of experience in research and teaching. He earned his Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctorate degrees at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dr. Schroeder has authored numerous books fusing modern science with ancient biblical commentary, including works such as Genesis and The Big Bang and The Science of God.
7.   Rabbi Raphael Shore
Rabbi Raphael Shore is a producer of documentary films, including Relentless: The Struggle for Peace in the Middle East, the critically acclaimed Obsession: Radical Islam's War against the West and The Third Jihad: Radical Islam's Vision for America. He previously worked as an international analyst of Middle East issues and has been interviewed by CNN, The New York Times, and other leading media organizations. A native of Canada, he graduated from the University of Toronto.
8.   Rebecca Shore
Rebecca Shore is an artist and educator who focuses on relationships, gender differences and the role of women in Judaism. She specializes in Jewish children's artwork, which combines her passion for Judaism with her flair for colorful, enchanting visual design. A native of New York, Rebecca now lives in Jerusalem with her husband and children.
9.   Rabbi Ken Spiro
Rabbi Ken Spiro graduated from Vassar College with a BA in Russian Language and Literature and pursued his graduate studies at the Pushkin Institute in Moscow. He also received an MA in History from The Vermont College of Norwich University. Rabbi Spiro is licensed by the Israel Ministry of Tourism as a tour guide. He has appeared on numerous radio and television programs, including B.B.C. Radio and TV and The National Geographic Channel.
10.   Rabbi Noah Weinberg
Rabbi Noah Weinberg, of Blessed Memory, is considered the "founding father" of today's Jewish spiritual outreach movement for his efforts in establishing a global network of educational outreach programs for unaffiliated Jewish men and women. Through his activities at Aish HaTorah, Rabbi Weinberg has influenced tens of thousands of college-age students to explore their Jewish heritage. His audio series and books focus on how to build a positive relationship with God and how to achieve happiness through Judaism.
11.   Rabbi Moshe Zeldman
Rabbi Moshe Zeldman received his undergraduate degree in Artificial Intelligence and Philosophy from the University of Toronto and his rabbinical ordination in Israel. He lectures on a variety of topics and is involved in researching hidden codes in the Bible. Rabbi Zeldman currently lives in Jerusalem with his wife and five children.

Curriculum

Click on a class below to learn more, and see a class promo video

1.   Love and Relationships

Film: A candid, captivating and humorous discussion about love and relationships. This class offers an in-depth look into the role of love and relationships in Judaism. Transform the way you appreciate yourself and your current or prospective partner with these important lessons on Judaism and love.     

2.   Success

Film: What is the secret to success? Is success defined by money, prestige, education or power? This class offers an alternative model of true success. You will learn how to reevaluate what is truly important and set practical goals for achieving personal success.

3.   Gossip

Audio File: Have you ever heard the saying, "Sticks and stones will break your bones, but words will never hurt you?" Is there truth to this statement? This class explores the power of words. Based on Jewish laws pertaining to gossip, you will learn how words are internalized and impact the way that you listen and speak.

4.   Genesis and The Big Bang

Film: In this class, M.I.T. scientist Dr. Gerald Schroeder will take you on a journey of science and ancient wisdom, reconciling The Big Bang Theory and the Bible.

5.   Pleasure

Film: Are you a pleasure-seeker? Do you want to feel good, and experience more pleasure on a daily basis? This class will offer you some of the secrets to discovering the real joys in life.

6.   Jewish Contribution to World Values

Audio File: What has Judaism contributed to world values? From the time that Abraham welcomed guests into his tent, Jewish values have played a critical role in shaping the global code of ethics.  This class evaluates the impact that Jewish values have had on the creation of a global value system.

7.   Know What You Know

Film: What are your beliefs based on? This class challenges the notion of moral relativism and encourages course participants to question the basis of their own system of beliefs.

8.   Jerusalem

Film: What makes Jerusalem so important? This class offers students observations and a discussion on the rich history and the controversial politics that surround this small yet captivating city. You will journey through time to discover Jerusalem’s historical side and experience the sights and sounds of the modern day city.

9.   Kabbalah

Audio File: Today, Kabbalah is all the rage among celebrities. But what is the true essence of Jewish Kabbalah? In this class you will explore the roots of Kabbalah and learn how to understand the messages that the world is sending your way.

10.   Infinite God

Film: In this thought-provoking video presentation, Rabbi Yom Tov Glaser and Rabbi Moshe Zeldman explain what it means to say that “God is infinite” and offer practical ways to relate to an infinite God on a daily basis.

Free Sample Class